Once the two of them decide
Otto can’t scale the fence,
Dad and Linda Sue slither
from the SUV. They stand
in the driveway, checking out
the view and ogling the house.
Five minutes of no sound
but barking, five final minutes
of peace before certain chaos.
Jake Jumps to His Feet
Runs to the window. Who
the heck is that?
Mom joins him. Can you
believe he didn’t have
the decency to call?
He? Who he? insists Jake.
Will someone please tell me?
Scott starts toward the door.
Did you think he would
suddenly learn manners?
Jake’s face flares, cranberry
red over freckles. Ahem! Who…?
Heather peeks over Jake’s
head. I don’t know, but he sure
looks like a shark out of water.
Fine! I’ll just go ask him
myself! Jake follows Scott
out the door. I glance in
Leigh’s direction. Her face
is white as fresh fallen snow.